Students returning to school in Fort McMurray on Tuesday got a special surprise from students in Halifax.
Jacquie Saunder’s grade 4/5 class at William King Elementary School in Herring Cove heard about the devastation in Alberta earlier this year and wanted to do something to help.
“Some of the children were talking about about the Fort McMurray fires and they were a little bit scared – they’ve had it happen in their community a few years ago,” said Saunders.
“We decided to try to do something positive. We decided to make a card. They put their heart and soul into it and I did my best to get them there.”
Saunders said there was a lot of logistical issues to overcome in order to get the cards to their final destination.
READ MORE: ‘It’s been a struggle’: Rebuilding Fort McMurray could take up to five years
They were finally delivered to three Fort McMurray schools by Alberta education minister David Eggen.
“It’s great,” said Eggen. “We raise funds of course, which are very important in difficult times, but it’s important to raise our spirits as well. I think that’s what these cards will do. I know they already did for me.”
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The students drew pictures and wrote messages of encouragement on the cards.
“I think it really inspired them because all the negative stuff that happened, it’s going to just push them forward,” said Tyson Jenkins, a grade 5 student.
The students said they felt proud knowing that the kids in Fort McMurray received their cards and they hope it made them feel better.
“On my card I put a big stump and leaves to show that there’s always one tree left standing even if there’s a big fire happening,” said grade 5 student Trenton Power.
“Let’s say if somebody falls down. Do you just leave them? No, I wouldn’t.”
Grade 6 student Anika Fraser said she wanted to go to Fort McMurray to help clean up but was disappointed to learn she wasn’t quite old enough.
“You had to be 18. So, I didn’t get to. But I really wanted to.”
She drew the East Coast Lifestyle logo on her card along with a note saying she hoped they found their home again.
READ MORE: ‘Every single book had to be wiped clean’: Back to school in Fort McMurray
While the students have now moved on to a new class and a new grade, they remember how it felt to come together to help people in need.
“We wanted to make the cards so the kids felt better. It made me feel sad because they were losing their houses and all their belongings,” said grade 5 student Claire Caldwell. “I hope they felt happy.”
Saunders said she hopes the students learned that you don’t need to be an adult to lend a helping hand.
“It’s important to be a good citizen. Whether it be in the school, the community or in the world, ” said Saunders.
“This was an opportunity for the students to help kids that were a long way away that were having a hard time. They wanted to make a difference and connect to those kids.”
Their former teacher said the class hopes to hear back from their new friends in Alberta.
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